Yes, Ottawa is one of the safest large cities in Canada: the Ottawa metro area’s Crime Severity Index (CSI) was 50.6 in 2025, down 6% on 2024 and about 33% below the national 75.0. That is the lowest CSI of Canada’s six largest metros. Ottawa’s crime rate was 4,212 incidents per 100,000 people, about 25% below Canada’s 5,585. The Ottawa Police Service’s own CSI, for the city alone, was a similar 52.2.
Data: Statistics Canada, police-reported crime statistics for 2025 (released 22 July 2026), Crime Severity Index and incident-based crime tables, including CSI for police services in Ontario. Figures are for the Ontario part of the Ottawa–Gatineau census metropolitan area (CMA) unless stated as Ottawa Police Service. Comparisons and percentages that are not in the release are our own arithmetic. Updated 5 October 2026.
All figures are for calendar year 2025, the most recent full year published.
Is Ottawa safe compared with other Canadian cities?
Among all 41 metropolitan areas, only Sherbrooke, Saguenay and Barrie had a lower CSI than Ottawa in 2025. Ottawa is also below Toronto, Montréal and the Ontario average.
| Area (2025) | Crime Severity Index | CSI change vs 2024 | Crime rate per 100,000 | Rate change vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa (Ontario part of Ottawa–Gatineau) | 50.6 | −6% | 4,212 | −2% |
| Gatineau (Quebec part of Ottawa–Gatineau) | 60.6 | −2% | 3,700 | −2% |
| Toronto (CMA) | 55.0 | −7% | 3,950 | −5% |
| Montréal (CMA) | 61.3 | −5% | 3,641 | −5% |
| Calgary (CMA) | 61.7 | −3% | 5,038 | +5% |
| Vancouver (CMA) | 83.5 | +1% | 5,672 | +3% |
| Ontario (province) | 57.2 | −6% | 4,296 | −4% |
| Canada (all police services) | 75.0 | −5% | 5,585 | −2% |
The crime rate counts every Criminal Code incident (excluding traffic) per 100,000 people; the CSI weights incidents by seriousness. Ottawa’s crime rate (4,212) is a little higher than Toronto’s (3,950) and Montréal’s (3,641), but its CSI is lower, because a smaller share of its incidents are serious. See our CSI explainer.
Ottawa Police vs the Ottawa CMA vs Gatineau
Statistics Canada splits the Ottawa–Gatineau metro area into two parts because it straddles a provincial border:
- Ottawa (Ontario part), CSI 50.6: the City of Ottawa and nearby Ontario communities.
- Gatineau (Quebec part), CSI 60.6: Gatineau and surrounding Quebec municipalities, with a lower crime rate (3,700) but a higher violent CSI (93.39). See is Gatineau safe?
- Ottawa Police Service, CSI 52.2: the City of Ottawa only, which makes up most of the Ontario part.
| Ottawa Police Service | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSI | 47.96 | 48.48 | 54.15 | 55.80 | 55.97 | 52.23 |
Source: Statistics Canada, CSI for police services in Ontario. Ottawa Police violent CSI 2025: 62.63; non-violent CSI: 48.51.
Is crime in Ottawa going up or down?
Down in 2025, after a rise. The CMA’s CSI was 46.7 in 2015, peaked at 57.0 in 2019, dropped during 2020 and 2021, then rose again to 54.2 in 2023 and 54.1 in 2024. The 2025 figure of 50.6 is about 11% below the 2019 peak, but about 8% above 2015.
| Year | Ottawa CSI | Canada CSI |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 46.7 | 70.4 |
| 2016 | 50.8 | 72.0 |
| 2017 | 50.9 | 73.6 |
| 2018 | 54.4 | 75.6 |
| 2019 | 57.0 | 79.7 |
| 2020 | 47.3 | 73.9 |
| 2021 | 46.9 | 74.9 |
| 2022 | 52.2 | 78.7 |
| 2023 | 54.2 | 81.3 |
| 2024 | 54.1 | 78.8 |
| 2025 | 50.6 | 75.0 |
Both parts of the index fell in 2025: the violent CSI dropped from 67.17 to 61.98 (about 8%) and the non-violent CSI from 49.36 to 46.49 (about 6%). Ottawa’s violent CSI is about 36% below the national violent CSI of 97.19.
What kind of crime is most common in Ottawa?
The Ottawa CMA (Ontario part) recorded 55,608 Criminal Code incidents in 2025, including 37,427 property crimes and 10,745 violent incidents.
| Offence | Ottawa rate 2025 | Ottawa rate 2024 | Canada rate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Criminal Code offences (excl. traffic) | 4,212 | 4,294 | 5,585 |
| Violent crime | 814 | 793 | 1,443 |
| Homicide | 1.59 | 2.10 | 1.61 |
| Robbery | 47 | 43 | 55 |
| Breaking and entering | 186 | 209 | 262 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 130 | 149 | 201 |
| Shoplifting ($5,000 or under) | 954 | 962 | 502 |
| Fraud | 484 | n/a | 426 |
| Mischief | 281 | n/a | 739 |
Rates are incidents per 100,000 people (homicide: victims per 100,000), Ottawa census metropolitan area. n/a = 2024 rate not available in our data set.
- Shoplifting is the standout. 12,598 incidents, 954 per 100,000, almost double the national 502, though slightly down on 2024. See shoplifting in Canada.
- Car theft is low at 130 per 100,000, about 13% lower than in 2024 and well under the national 201.
- Break-ins are low at 186 per 100,000 (Canada: 262), down about 11%.
- Homicide fell to 21 victims, 1.59 per 100,000 (2.10 in 2024), around the national 1.61.
- Fraud was 484 per 100,000, above the national 426.
Ottawa’s weighted clearance rate was 33.78, below the national 36.64.
Which parts of Ottawa record more crime?
We do not publish neighbourhood rankings, and Statistics Canada does not release neighbourhood figures. In Ottawa, as in other cities, reported incidents cluster in the busiest areas: downtown, the ByWard Market and other nightlife streets, large shopping centres and transit stations. These places draw many visitors and workers, so their counts do not show the risk to people who live nearby. The Ottawa Police open-data portal lets you look at specific areas.
Is Ottawa safe for visitors, students and families?
Yes, for the great majority of people. Serious violent crime is uncommon, and overall severity is low by Canadian standards. The most common issues are shoplifting, thefts and fraud. Keep bags and phones secure in crowded places, lock bikes and cars, and be wary of phone and online scams. See our fraud and scams guide and safest cities for newcomers.
How reliable are these figures?
- They count reported incidents. In 2019 only about 29% of victimizations in Canada were reported to police.
- Retail reporting affects shoplifting numbers, which can move with store policy as much as with actual theft.
- The CSI is not a full safety score, as Statistics Canada notes. See the official 2025 release.
How do I check crime near a specific address in Ottawa?
- Use Ottawa Police open data. The Ottawa Police Service open data portal has maps and downloadable data on reported crime by area.
- Look at our map. The Canada Crime Map gathers official figures by city; our Ottawa crime map guide explains how to use the police portal.
- Compare two areas. Check the address against another area using the same offences and time period.
- Read the limits. Locations are generalised for privacy and commercial areas always show more incidents. If you are moving across the river, check Gatineau separately.
Want this on your phone?
Safety App Canada puts official crime data on a live map, plans walking routes that avoid high-risk areas and sends one-tap SOS alerts to the people you trust. Coming soon to Android and iPhone.
Ottawa crime FAQ
What is Ottawa’s crime rate?
The Ottawa CMA (Ontario part) recorded 4,212 Criminal Code incidents per 100,000 people in 2025, down 2% on 2024 and about 25% below the national rate of 5,585.
Is Ottawa the safest big city in Canada?
On the Crime Severity Index, yes: its 50.6 was the lowest of the six largest metros in 2025, ahead of Toronto (55.0) and Montréal (61.3). See safest big cities in Canada.
Is crime in Ottawa increasing?
Not in 2025. The CSI fell 6% to 50.6 and the Ottawa Police CSI fell to 52.2 from 56.0. Both are still above their 2020 levels.
Is Ottawa safer than Gatineau?
Ottawa has the lower CSI (50.6 vs 60.6), but Gatineau has a lower crime rate (3,700 vs 4,212). Gatineau’s mix includes proportionally more violent incidents.
How many homicides were there in Ottawa in 2025?
The Ottawa CMA (Ontario part) recorded 21 homicide victims, a rate of 1.59 per 100,000, close to the national 1.61.
Related: is Gatineau safe? · safest cities in Ontario · is Toronto safe? · safest big cities in Canada · Ottawa crime map. In an emergency call 911.